National Institute of Building Sciences

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1974. Its core mission is to serve the public interest by advancing building science and technology to improve the built environment, fostering a safer, more resilient, and technologically advanced infrastructure for American communities. NIBS connects research, policy, and practical application, acting as an authoritative source for findings and recommendations that impact the built environment. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

NIBS provides a range of services, including the development and refinement of industry standards such as the National BIM Standard-United States® (NBIMS-US™) and the United States National CAD Standard® (NCS). It also acts as a steward for comprehensive resources like the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) and the SF Tool, which are freely available to the public. The Institute offers expertise in facilities planning, design, construction, building codes, disaster resilience, and real property asset management, serving government agencies, building professionals, policymakers, and owners.

Under the leadership of President and CEO George K. Guszcza, NIBS continues to address critical industry challenges. Recent initiatives include leadership promotions in early 2026 to strengthen federal and infrastructure programs, and the appointment of a Chief Growth Officer. In 2025, NIBS co-hosted the "Elevate 2025" summit to tackle the workforce shortage in the built environment and released reports on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and sustainable facilities. The organization maintains a focus on advancing building innovation, enhancing lifeline infrastructure, and promoting the adoption of emerging technologies.

Latest updates

NIBS Conference Signals Shift to Data-Driven AEC Delivery

Event summary

  • The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) will host its 2026 Building Innovation Conference on May 2026 in McLean, Virginia.
  • A key session will focus on modernizing federal project delivery through data integration and standards alignment, featuring Major General (Ret.) Kimberly Colloton and Blake Shiver of Procore Technologies.
  • Speakers include Jeremy Blain (Alvarez & Marsal), Russ Wilcox (ArtifexAI), and Nolan Browne (ADL Ventures), indicating a focus on technology and data-driven solutions.
  • Dr. Daniel Kaniewski, former FEMA Deputy Administrator, will deliver a keynote address on infrastructure resilience.

The big picture

The NIBS conference underscores a growing recognition within the AEC sector that traditional project delivery methods are unsustainable. Federal agencies, in particular, are under pressure to improve efficiency and accountability, driving demand for data-driven solutions and standardized processes. The emphasis on offsite construction and industrialized building signals a potential shift towards modular and prefabricated construction models to address housing shortages and infrastructure deficits.

What we're watching

Federal Adoption
The success of the conference’s focus on federal project delivery hinges on the actual adoption of data-driven methods by agencies, which has historically been slow and fragmented.
Regulatory Hurdles
Whether the International Code Council’s efforts to modernize building codes can keep pace with the rapid innovation in offsite construction and digital building practices remains to be seen.
Scalability
The ability of smaller firms like ArtifexAI and Motivf Corporation to scale their solutions beyond pilot projects and achieve widespread industry adoption will be a key indicator of the conference’s long-term impact.

NIBS Appoints Infrastructure Veteran as Growth Officer Amidst Infrastructure Push

Event summary

  • Jade L. Rung, PE, PMP, has been appointed Chief Growth Officer at the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).
  • Rung brings over 30 years of experience in infrastructure programs, business development, and public-private partnerships.
  • Previously, Rung served as Senior Vice President and Regional Practice Lead for Bridge & Transportation at Michael Baker International.
  • Rung helped secure over $110 billion in contract vehicles at Michael Baker, significantly increasing the non-DoD federal market share.
  • NIBS, a Congressionally chartered organization, aims to advance innovation across the built environment.

The big picture

The appointment of a seasoned infrastructure executive like Jade Rung signals NIBS’s intent to aggressively expand its influence within the built environment sector, particularly as government investment in infrastructure continues to be a key policy priority. NIBS’s Congressionally chartered status gives it a unique position to shape policy and standards, and Rung’s experience will be crucial in leveraging that position. The focus on public-private partnerships also reflects a broader trend toward shared responsibility for infrastructure development and resilience.

What we're watching

Strategic Focus
Rung’s focus on Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal, and local engagement suggests NIBS will intensify lobbying and influence efforts at all government levels, potentially increasing its visibility and impact on policy.
Revenue Generation
The mandate to drive organizational revenue growth will require NIBS to diversify its funding streams beyond traditional government grants and contracts, potentially leading to new service offerings or partnerships.
Execution Risk
Successfully integrating Rung’s experience in large-scale infrastructure projects with NIBS’s mission of innovation and advocacy will require careful alignment of organizational priorities and a willingness to adapt established processes.

HUD-Backed Offsite Construction Pilots Aim to Ease Housing Supply Bottleneck

Event summary

  • The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and MOD X hosted a summit on April 7, 2026, focused on accelerating offsite construction for housing.
  • Six U.S. regions (Minnesota, Virginia, Greater Boston, Utah, Washington, and California) participated, sharing action plans and pilot programs.
  • The summit is a milestone in a two-year, HUD-funded project aimed at scaling offsite construction.
  • Participants explored Regional Innovation Hubs and Housing System Certification as potential solutions.

The big picture

The U.S. housing supply crisis has spurred increased government and industry interest in offsite construction as a potential solution. This summit represents a concerted effort to move beyond theoretical discussions and implement practical strategies, but the inherent complexities of regional regulations and market dynamics pose significant hurdles. The HUD funding signals a willingness to experiment with innovative construction methods, but the long-term viability of these pilots remains to be seen.

What we're watching

Regulatory Headwinds
The success of these regional pilots hinges on navigating existing building codes and zoning regulations, which may not be conducive to offsite construction methods; expect continued lobbying efforts to modernize these frameworks.
Execution Risk
Scaling these pilot programs to a national level will require significant coordination and capacity building across diverse regions, potentially exposing logistical and workforce challenges.
Governance Dynamics
The HUD Breakthrough Pilot Handbook’s adoption and impact will depend on buy-in from state and local governments, as well as the construction industry, potentially creating friction between federal guidance and local priorities.

Ex-USACE Leader to Discuss Infrastructure Modernization at NIBS Conference

Event summary

  • Major General (Retired) Kimberly M. Colloton and Blake Shiver will participate in a fireside chat at the 2026 Building Innovation Conference.
  • The conference, hosted by NIBS, will take place May 19–20 at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.
  • Major General Colloton previously oversaw a $90 billion portfolio as Deputy Commanding General for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Blake Shiver leads Procore’s public sector strategy, focusing on digital transformation for government agencies.

The big picture

The event highlights the growing pressure on government agencies to modernize infrastructure delivery through technology adoption. The US Army Corps of Engineers' $90 billion portfolio represents a significant portion of national infrastructure spending, making any shift in approach potentially impactful. Procore's involvement signals a move towards greater transparency and data-driven decision-making in public works projects, potentially reshaping the vendor landscape.

What we're watching

Governance Dynamics
The pairing of a former USACE leader with a Procore executive suggests a focus on how technology can improve accountability and oversight within large government infrastructure projects, potentially influencing future contracting practices.
Execution Risk
The conference's emphasis on aligning systems and integrating innovation indicates a recognition of the challenges in implementing digital delivery across disparate government agencies and private sector stakeholders.
Regulatory Headwinds
Given the focus on building codes and government housing, the discussion may reveal emerging regulatory pressures impacting construction practices and the adoption of modular or offsite construction techniques.

HUD Report Charts Path for Offsite Construction, Signals Regulatory Shift

Event summary

  • A new HUD report, jointly released by NIBS and MOD X, outlines a plan to accelerate offsite construction for housing in the U.S.
  • The report identifies regulatory reform and demand aggregation as key drivers for scaling offsite construction.
  • HUD's Action Plan includes standard award criteria, housing system certification, and performance-based building codes.
  • The study involved over 200 domestic and international experts across government, industry, academia, and non-profit sectors.

The big picture

The HUD report represents a strategic shift towards industrialized construction as a solution to the ongoing U.S. housing crisis. By prioritizing regulatory reform and fostering private sector innovation, the government aims to leverage offsite construction’s potential to improve affordability, quality, and speed. However, the report’s reliance on a ‘high-tech housing industry’ suggests a long-term vision that may require substantial technological advancements and workforce development.

What we're watching

Regulatory Headwinds
The success of HUD’s Action Plan hinges on buy-in from Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and resistance to performance-based codes could significantly slow adoption.
Market Dynamics
While the report envisions a self-sustaining offsite construction ecosystem, the reliance on private sector leadership raises questions about whether sufficient investment will materialize without ongoing government incentives.
Execution Risk
The Housing System Certification Program Standard, currently being developed by NIBS and MOD X, will be a crucial early test of the report’s recommendations and its ability to streamline approvals.

NIBS Bolsters Infrastructure Focus with Key Leadership Appointments

Event summary

  • NIBS promoted Shirley K. Albritton to Senior Vice President of Operations, effective immediately.
  • Eric Rawdon was appointed Vice President of Infrastructure, also effective immediately.
  • Albritton previously served as a Program Manager at Deloitte and directed project controls at Jacobs.
  • Rawdon brings 15+ years of experience, including regional leadership roles with USAID and work on bioenergy facilities valued at over $250 million.
  • Both appointees possess PMP certifications and extensive experience in engineering, construction, and mission-critical operations.

The big picture

NIBS' leadership changes signal a strategic pivot towards a more active role in shaping and executing national infrastructure projects, particularly those focused on resilience and critical lifeline systems. This move aligns with the Biden administration’s emphasis on infrastructure investment and the increasing recognition of interconnected infrastructure vulnerabilities. The appointments suggest NIBS intends to expand its influence beyond advisory roles and become a more direct implementer of infrastructure solutions.

What we're watching

Operational Execution
Albritton's focus on end-to-end execution will be critical; NIBS' ability to deliver on its expanded scope depends on her ability to integrate diverse stakeholders and complex initiatives effectively.
Infrastructure Lifeline Hub
The success of Rawdon’s Infrastructure Lifeline Hub hinges on NIBS’ ability to influence design criteria and project delivery across federal, state, and local entities, potentially facing resistance to standardized approaches.
Federal Funding
NIBS' reliance on federal and state partnerships means its growth trajectory is tightly linked to ongoing infrastructure spending and the prioritization of resilience initiatives within government budgets.

NIBS, MOD X Seek to Standardize Housing Approvals with System Certification

Event summary

  • NIBS and MOD X launched a Housing System Certification Program Standard initiative on December 13, 2025.
  • The program aims to deliver a pilot-ready specification by the end of 2026, targeting progressive Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
  • The proposed certification treats homes as complete systems, diverging from the current site-specific project approval model.
  • The initiative is guided by a steering committee and a 16-person technical committee with representation from AECO and manufacturing sectors.
  • The program draws on research of regulatory reforms from Sweden and Japan.

The big picture

The initiative represents a significant shift towards industrialized construction and a move away from traditional, fragmented building codes. This standardization effort could accelerate the adoption of offsite construction methods, addressing the ongoing housing shortage and affordability crisis. The program’s success will depend on overcoming regulatory inertia and establishing a credible, performance-based certification framework.

What we're watching

Adoption Rate
The success of the program hinges on the willingness of AHJs to adopt the new certification process, which may face resistance from entrenched bureaucratic practices and established contractor workflows.
System Integrity
The effectiveness of the certification will depend on the rigor and independence of the verification process, as compromised standards could undermine confidence and create liability risks.
Scalability
The initiative's impact will be limited if the certification process proves too complex or costly to scale beyond initial pilot programs, potentially hindering broader industry adoption.
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